Breaking Bad and Modern Family crowned at Emmys; Michael Douglas, Claire Danes also win

Tina Fey, right, is embraced by L L Cool J as Tracey Wigfield, left, accepts the award for outstanding writing for a comedy series for their work on 30 Rock at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday - The Associated PressJim Parsons kisses his Emmy backstage the 65th annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday in Los Angeles. Parsons again claiming the top comedy acting trophy for The Big Bang Theory. Parsons added to the awards he won in 2011 and 2010 for the role of a science nerd.
- Tribune Media MCTEdie Falco presents a tribute to James Gandolfini on stage. The actor, famous for his work in The Sopranos, died this year. - Chris Pizzello / The Assocaited PressJeff Daniels accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for his role on The Newsroom. - Chris Pizzello / The Associated PressDerek Hough poses with the award for outstanding choreography for his work on Dancing with the Stars. - Dan Steinberg / The Associated PressEllen Burstyn backstage the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday. Burstyn was honored at the Emmys for her work on Political Animals. Burstyn took home the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries/Movie. This is Burstyn's second Emmy. She previously won for "Law & Order: SVU." - Tribune Media MCTHost Neil Patrick Harris, left, and comedian Jimmy Fallon on stage at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre Sunday. - CPJim Parsons, left, and Bob Newhart, who got a standing ovation. At 84, TV legend Newhart finallywon his first Emmy, for his guest-starring role in The Big Bang Theory. - Tribune Media MCTClaire Danes captures top actress honours for her troubled CIA agent in Homeland.
- Tribune Media MCTTina Fey, left, and Amy Poehler present the award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series. Merritt Wever of Nurse Jackie won the night's first award, for best supporting actress in a comedy series, kicking off the ceremony on a surprising note and with a remarkably brief acceptance speech. "Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Um, I got to go, bye," Wever told the audience. - CPMerritt Wever backstage the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday. She won for best supporting actress in a comedy series. - Tribune Media MCTCarrie Underwood performs Yesterday by The Beatles at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards. - CPSarah Silverman performs with dancers at the awards ceremony. - CPJim Parsons accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for his role on The Big Bang Theory. - The Associated PressMichael Douglas accepts his Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie at the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday. - Tribune Media MCTJulia Louis-Dreyfus reacts as it was announced that she won the award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her role on Veep. - The Associated PressAnna Gunn accepts the award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for her role on Breaking Bad. - CPStephen Colbert wins Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series. - Tribune Media MCTTony Hale accepts the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for his role on Veep. - The Associated PressBobby Cannavale backstage the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Cannavale of Boardwalk Empire won supporting actor in a drama, - Tribune Media MCTTina Fey, left, and Tracey Wigfield won the award for outstanding writing for a comedy series for their work on 30 Rock at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday - Tribune Media MCT

LOS ANGELES — "Breaking Bad," the brutal, drug-fueled saga of an everyman’s ambition turned evil, captured its first best drama Emmy Award on Sunday, denying the online series "House of Cards" a history-making honour.

"I did not see this coming," said "Breaking Bad" creator Vince Gilligan, tipping his hat to Netflix’s political thriller "House of Cards," the first digital contender for top Emmy honours.

Attention and acclaim for the AMC cable channel’s "Breaking Bad" has built as it nears the end of its five-season run next Sunday, with the final eight-episode arc eligible for next year’s Emmys.

"Modern Family" won its fourth consecutive trophy for top comedy series even though its oft-honoured cast was shut out this time.

Jeff Daniels won the Emmy for best drama series actor for his portrayal of an idealistic TV anchorman in "The Newsroom," with Claire Danes capturing top actress honours for her troubled CIA agent in "Homeland."

Daniels noted that he’d also received an age 50-plus acting honour from AARP, which represents the interests of older Americans.

"With all due respect to the AARP, this is even better," Daniels said.

Danes, who captured her second trophy for the terrorism drama, paid tribute to one of the series’ writers, Henry Bromell, who died last March and who received a writing Emmy posthumously Sunday.

The ceremony often struck a melancholy note with extended tributes to stars and other industry members who died in the past year.

"Well, this may be the saddest Emmys of all time but we could not be happier," said "Modern Family" executive producer Steve Levitan.

The show also included upsets, defying the conventional wisdom in several categories, among them the best supporting acting comedy awards for Merritt Wever of "Nurse Jackie" and Tony Hale of "Veep."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus claimed her second consecutive best comedy actress award for her role as an ambitious political second banana in "Veep," with Jim Parsons again claiming the top comedy acting trophy for "The Big Bang Theory."

"This is so much good fortune it’s almost too much to bear," said Louis-Dreyfus. "I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to make people laugh. It’s a joyful way to make a living."

Parsons added to the awards he won in 2011 and 2010 for the role of a science nerd.

"My heart, oh my heart. I want you to know I’m very aware of how exceedingly fortunate I am," he said.

Laura Linney was named best actress in a miniseries or movie for "The Big C: Hereafter." "The Voice" won best reality-competition program, and Tina Fey won for writing "30 Rock."

Michael Douglas was honoured as best actor for his portrayal of Liberace in "Behind the Candelabra," besting his co-star Matt Damon. The film also captured a top trophy as best movie or miniseries.

"This is a two-hander and Matt, you’re only as good as your other hand," Douglas said, then got really racy: "You want the bottom or the top?"

Bobby Cannavale, from "Boardwalk Empire," won as best supporting actor in a drama, and Anna Gunn from "Breaking Bad" won the best actress award in the same category.

In the variety show category, "The Colbert Report" broke a 10-year winning streak held by "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." It also won for best writing for a variety show.

The ceremony’s first hour was relatively sombre, with memorial tributes and a doleful song by Elton John in honour of the late musical star Liberace, the subject of the nominated biopic "Behind the Candelabra."

"Liberace left us 25 years ago and what a difference those years have made to people like me," said John, who is openly gay in contrast to the closeted Liberace portrayed in the TV movie.

Jane Lynch paid tribute to Cory Monteith, her "Glee" co-star who died at age 31 in July of a drug and alcohol overdose. "His death is a tragic reminder of the rapacious, senseless destruction that is brought on by addiction," she said.

Edie Falco recalled her late "The Sopranos" co-star James Gandolfini, saluting him for his "fierce loyalty" to his friends and family and his work with military veterans, while Rob Reiner remembered Jean Stapleton of "All in the Family" and Michael J. Fox honoured "Family Ties" producer Gary David Goldberg.

Diahann Carroll, the first African-American Emmy nominee in 1963 for "Naked City," created one of the night’s most heartfelt moments when she took the stage with Washington and noted the importance of diversity in the industry and Emmys.

"Tonight, she better get this award," Carroll said of Washington, who covered her eyes in embarrassment.

HBO received a leading seven Emmys, followed by Showtime with four, ABC and NBC with three each and AMC and Comedy Central with two each.

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Online: http://www.emmys.com

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